By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

WESTLAKE — Rev. Mr. Fred Reed marks his 50^th anniversary as a deacon on February 1, 2026. He was ordained a permanent deacon by Bishop Jerome J. Hastrich on February 1, 1976, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Oberlin.

Deacon Reed, who has served as a deacon for 42 years at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Westlake, celebrated this milestone of his ministry with his wife Judy and their family on Saturday, January 3, at the 4:00 p.m. Mass.

Bishop Provost Reflects on Pursuit of Wisdom

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — One of Bishop Glen John Provost’s favorite things to do as Bishop of Lake Charles is celebrate the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass. He has been doing so for 19 years.

“It is always a pleasure to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with all of you,” he said as he looked out among the many students from across the Diocese of Lake Charles. “I look forward to this special Mass every year, with this year falling on the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas.”

The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops recently released the Principles and Priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session:

Dubois Shares Story on Her Life Being Spared from Abortion

By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles

LAKE CHARLES — “Love Them Both” was the theme for the 30^th annual Louisiana Life March Southwest through downtown Lake Charles on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The pro-life March takes place every year on the “Day of Prayer for Legal Protection for Unborn Children.” 

An otherwise cloudy and dreary day gave way to a beautiful sunset as nearly 200 walked in support of the sanctity and dignity of life at all stages, and to hear the story of Amber Dubois who was conceived in rape.

The Office of Catholic Schools announces the Diocese of Lake Charles 2026 Student of the Year winners for elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Winners are Benjamin Isaac Alcantara Duplechin, Grade 12, St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles; Cecilia Reeves, Grade 8, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School in Lake Charles; and Emily Bougard, Grade 5, Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School in Jennings.